[5]
By Portland Archdiocese [6],
On Sunday, February 22, Archbishop Alexander Sample addressed 615 catechumens and candidates who are preparing to enter the Catholic Church this Easter, part of more than 1,600 across western Oregon.
In his Lenten homily, the Archbishop reflected on the ancient roots of the Rite of Election, the role of Lent as the Church’s final period of preparation for the elect, and the life-changing significance of Baptism and the Easter Vigil. He also pointed to the remarkable movement of the Holy Spirit in western Oregon and encouraged those preparing to enter the Church to embrace their future call to evangelize.
“You are here because God has been calling you from all eternity,” the Archbishop told the assembly.
Because this was one of the largest Rite of Election celebrations in recent memory, the liturgy was moved from the Cathedral in northwest Portland to Our Lady of La Vang Parish in Happy Valley to accommodate the large number of participants. The parish, a former megachurch now serving the Vietnamese Catholic community, can seat up to 2,000.
Please keep all catechumens and candidates in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Easter Sacraments.